ackground : Reports of the result of cisplatin plus VP-16 (VPP) combination as second
line therapy following cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine(CAV) suggested that VPP
might be non-cross resistant with the CAV regimen. We evaluated the efficancy and toxicity
of VPP combination therapy as a first line therapy for small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Methods : Fifty-one patients with SCLS were treated with cisplatin (20 mg/m^2 I,v., X 5
days) and etoposide (100 mg/m^2 I.v., X 3days) every three weeks. In patients with limited
disease, radiation to primary site was performed after 3rd cycle of VPP.
Results :
1) Among the 51 treated patients, 45 were evaluated for response to VPP chemotherapy.
Complete response rate was 18.6%, and partial response rate was 51.2%.
2) The median overal survival was 51 weeks.
The median survival was 59 weeks in limited disease, and 50 weeks in extensive disease.
There was no significant difference between the two groups.
3) The median time to progression was 51 weeks in responder.
4) The toxicities were mild to moderate degree; anorexia, nausea and alopecia in most
cases, neurotoxicities in 23.8% and nephrotoxicities in 21.4%. Leukopenia (66.7%) and
thrombocytopenia (13.5%) were not severe.
Conclustion : VPP combination therapy ws effective in small cell lung cancer as first line
chemotherapy.
|